Yr13 - Tourism Revision - Likely Questions and essay plans

One of the most difficult bits about completing the Tourism paper is making sure you understand what the question is asking you!

You only have to answer one of two questions - so make sure you can understand what you are being asked to do and that you know the case study well enough to answer one of the following questions!

Choose ONE of the questions below and answer it. Your answers must relate to a cultural process, and the environment(s) where this cultural process operates.
Identify your chosen question, cultural process, and the environment(s) where this cultural process operates below, then plan your response on page 3.

In your analysis:

• integrate detailed, specific information about your environment(s)
• draw relevant detailed map(s) and/or diagram(s) on page 4, and/or integrate them throughout your written answer as appropriate.

Question 1. Comprehensively analyse how the operation of your cultural process has shaped your named geographic environment(s).

When answering this question a rough essay plan may look like this;

• A description of the way in which Rotorua has been shaped by Tourism.
• Pink and white terraces/buried village = first tourists. Accommodation built for them. Tourism Rotorua encouraged more.
• Trout introduced to lake
• Development of roads, rail, airport encourage more - improved accessibility
• Most attractions facilities clustered in CBD. Give examples - redevelopment of CBD
• Accommodation located along roads (linear pattern).
• Dispersed fixed attractions - give examples.
• Clustered secondary attractions - give examples.
• New types of tourists = different attractions - give examples.

Question 2. Comprehensively analyse the extent to which the operation of your cultural process has impacted on people and the environment in your named geographic environment(s).

When answering this question a rough essay plan may look like this;

• Impacts on people of tourism - jobs (1in5) 3.2millio visitors, pop of Rotorua only 65'000.
• Jobs seasonal/poorly paid - huge impact on downstream industries (153 million) .City heavily reliant on Tourism = problems if no. of visitors drops.
• large number of people = problems sewage/water supply/congestion/environmental impact on vulnerable environments (lake had to be cleaned) /conflict with locals.
• Tourism pays for infrastructure and improvements.
• Protects and promotes Maori culture but also cheapens.

Question 3

a) Draw an annotated map or diagram of any ONE environment you have studied that illustrates the spatial patterns of features or characteristics resulting from the operation of your cultural process.

(b) Comprehensively analyse how the operation of your cultural process causes spatial variations in geographic environment(s) such as those you have drawn in (a).In your analysis:

• integrate comprehensive supporting case study evidence (other relevant map(s) and/or diagram(s) may be used)

• include an understanding of the links between the elements of the cultural process to draw conclusions.

When answering this question a rough essay plan may look like this;

• Clustering of attractions in CBD - give examples - due to accessibility/sharing facilities/comparison of prices/duel offers. 
• Linear patter of accommodation - give example - due to accessibility/main roads/easily seen/comparison of prices.
• Dispersed attractions - give examples - fixed attractions/based on natural features/need large areas of space/most people now have own transport and can reach
• Clustering attractions - give examples - share facilities/cheaper/offer combined entry fees/share parking/limited space by main roads.

Yr13 - Cultural Processes Assessment - Constructing Maps and Diagrams in Assessments

You will be asked to construct a sketch map or diagram to illustrate your cultural process. So you will need to be able to draw one from memory. This is why we have been going over and over this in class!

You will probably have to draw a map to illustrate one of the following things;

• A map of the spatial distribution of phenomena. (where attractions and facilities are located).
• A map to illustrates the impacts of Tourism in Rotorua.
• A map to illustrate any temporal patterns caused by your cultural process. (how Tourism in Rotorua has changed over time).

You must make sure your map has the basic geographic conventions shown below.

• A title.
• A key.
• A frame.
• A north point.
• If possible a scale.

It is a good idea to follow the following rules when constructing your map.

1. Read the question carefully and make sure you fully understand what it is you are being asked to show on your map. 
2. Plan your map. Decide what it is you are going to show on your map and make sure you are going to construct a map big enough (or small enough) to illustrate it.
3. Draw the basic outline. In our case you will need to draw in the main lake and the two main state highways that cross at the base of the lake. This gives you a starting point, on which you can add all the detail.
4. Add labels. Make sure you add in the labels to describe whatever it is you have been asked to illustrate.
5. Add detail and annotate. Make sure you annotate in enough detail to describe any pattern or explain any spatial variation or impacts you have been asked to illustrate.
6. Add the geographic conventions. Make sure you include the title, key, frame and north point.

The two maps shown below are examples of ones that have been used to show spatial variation. A map that shows the impacts has been demonstrated elsewhere in the blog.

The map below shows Spatial Variation of Phenomena (where attractions and tourist facilities are located).

This is not enough – you need to describe the spatial pattern………..

as they have in this map.

Yr13 - Cultural Processes Assessment - Questions on Tourism

Can you understand the question?

The most important thing to get right when completing the External Assessments is to make sure you understand what the question is actually asking you to do!

You can hopefully predict the types of questions you will be asked and so you need to make sure you include everything they are asking for in your answers. Below are examples of some of the most common questions that appear in this assessment. The writing in red is the simplified explanation of what the question is asking you to do!

1. Draw a map(s) to show the effects of your cultural process on people and places in your geographic environment(s).  

Draw a map to show how Tourism has effected both people and the environment in Rotorua

If you are analysing the effects in ONE environment, draw your map on page 10.
If you are analysing the effects in TWO environments, draw your second map on page 11.
You must use appropriate geographic conventions in your answer.

Make sure you include a title, key, frame, north point and if possible a scale in your map.

2. Does the operation of your cultural process have a greater impact on people OR places in your geographic environment(s)? Justify your answer.

In your opinion does Tourism have a greater impact on people or the environment in Rotorua. Make sure you include evidence (facts and figures) to support your answer.

You should include specific case study detail about your geographic environment(s) in your answer, and refer to the map(s) drawn in part (a) of this question. You may include other maps / diagrams in your answer.

You must include evidence (facts and figures) from you case study area (Rotorua) to support your answer and refer to the map you have drawn in the first part of the question.

3. Draw a map(s) to show the spatial variations that result from the operation of your chosen cultural process in your geographic environment(s). 

Draw a map to show where tourist attractions and facilities are located in Rotorua and any patterns that occur.

You must use appropriate geographic conventions in your answer.

Make sure you include a title, key, frame, north point and if possible a scale in your map.

4. Critically analyse the causes of the spatial variations shown on your map(s) in (a).

Explain why the tourist attractions and facilities are located in certain areas and not others. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of these locations.

You should include specific case study detail about your geographic environment(s) in your answer, and refer to the map(s) drawn in part (a) of this question. You may include other maps / diagrams in your answer.

Make sure you include evidence (facts and figures) from your case study area (Rotorua) to support your arguments.

5. Draw an annotated map or diagram of any ONE environment you have studied that illustrates the spatial patterns of features or characteristics resulting from the operation of your cultural process.

Draw a map to show where tourist attractions and facilities are located in Rotorua and any patterns that occur.

Comprehensively analyse how the operation of your cultural process causes spatial variations in geographic environment(s) such as those you have drawn in (a). In your analysis:
• integrate comprehensive supporting case study evidence (other relevant map(s) and/or diagram(s) may be used)
• include an understanding of the links between the elements of the cultural process to draw conclusions.

Explain why the tourist attractions and facilities are located in certain areas and not others. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of these locations.
Make sure you include evidence (facts and figures) from your case study area (Rotorua) to support your arguments.

6. Draw an annotated map(s) or diagram(s) of any ONE environment you have studied that illustrates the temporal patterns of features or characteristics resulting from the operation of your cultural process.

Draw a map to show how Tourism in Rotorua has developed over time.

Comprehensively analyse how the operation of your cultural process has resulted in the temporal variations in geographic environment(s) such as those you have drawn in (a). In your analysis:
• integrate comprehensive supporting case study evidence (other relevant map(s) and/or diagram(s) may be used)
• include an understanding of the links between the elements of the cultural process to draw conclusions.

Explain how Tourism in Rotorua has changed over time (Why it first developed and then how it changed over the years.) Make sure you include evidence (facts and figures) from your case study of Rotorua to support any arguments you make.

Yr13 - Impacts of Tourism on Rotorua Revision

If you get a question on the impacts of Tourism you will probably have to draw a map to illustrate these impacts. Make sure you follow the geographic conventions and add in a north point, title and key! The picture below is an example of a map that was drawn in a paper that gained an Excellence.

The impacts of Tourism in Rotorua are listed in another post on this blog but it is always a good idea to add in some up to date figures and information that demonstrates you understand your case study fully. So below are some up to date figures and information that would add detail to your case study knowledge!

Up to date figure on visitors to Rotorua for July 2015 which show an increase in visitors of 18% on the same period last year. With the greatest increase in visitors from North America and Australia.

Snapshot of Rotorua from Stats NZ has some interesting info on the population of Rotorua from the last census. There is still a large percentage of the population working in retail and accommodation, industry linked to Tourism. The average income and wealth is still low in comparison to the rest on NZ. Presumably this is linked to low paid and seasonal Tourism jobs.

Article on Rotorua winning a Tourism award from 2015 - so very new and relevant to this year. Demonstrates how Tourism is increasing this year.

Another article from this year describing, and giving some useful figures, on how much the Chinese market is increasing. Figure below are from this article.

Tourism growth May 2014 - May 2015 (against national average)

* Chinese market spend up 300 per cent .
* International electronic card spend up 28.6 per cent (16.7 per cent).
* Domestic card spend up 8.4 per cent (4.5 per cent).
* Domestic spend up 6.7 per cent (4 per cent).
* International spend up 8 per cent (7 per cent).
* Commercial accommodation visitor numbers up 7.3 per cent (5 per cent)

Another article describing the economic impact of tourism in Rotorua.

The impact of Tourism in Rotorua - some useful links

Article on the economic impact of Tourism

Article discussing the economic impact on Rotorua

Good example of an exam answer on the impact of Tourism in Rotorua

Quite an old but useful report on environmental impacts of Tourism in Rotorua

Rather a good geography blog from another school in NZ

Discussion of the damage to geothermal environments by tourists

Yr13 - Cultural Process - Tourism in Rotorua Guide

Thank you to another Geo teacher for posting this brilliant guide to Cultural Processes online.

Tourism revision 2014 from lavenderbongo

Yr13 - Some useful websites for your research.

Below are a few links to websites which should have some interesting statistics on Tourism in NZ and Wellington.

Could be useful for your current Internal Assessment!

Stats NZ

Ministry of Business and Innovation NZ

Tourism New Zealand Stats

Yr13 - How to design a questionnaire!

Below are a couple of links to websites with good advice on how to design your questionnaire and the types of questions you should avoid!

The Geography Site

BBC Geography site

Yr13 - Guidance on writing a research plan

Below is the PowerPoint from earlier in the week.

Intro to research from lavenderbongo

Yr13 - The Regulators and Tourist Industry in Rotorua

The slide show below goes through the main features of the Tourist Industry in Rotorua and the Regulators that control the Industry.

Rotorua tourism from lavenderbongo

Yr13 - Factors that influenced the growth of Rotorua - these are not in order!

Facilities were basic and main attractions were geothermal (the pink and white terraces).	Government infrastructural developments (like the airport and upgraded roads) created better accessibility.
The township of Rotorua was established by the Government in 1881 and a government department was created (Department of Tourism and Health Resorts) to control and manage tourism in Rotorua.	Accommodation facilities increased rapidly and development occurred along major roads.
Trout were introduced into Rotorua Lakes; the Government Sanatorium (Bath House) was built (1908).	Secondary attractions like Rainbow Springs were developed and Rotorua became firmly established as a destination for international visitors.
Auckland to Rotorua railway was built (1894) and the first hotels were built and sightseeing tour were available to the local thermal attractions.	Outlying attractions like Hells Gate were able to be more fully developed as they became easier to get to.
Te Wairoa (the buried village) was excavated (1931-1935) and became an attraction in its own right.	Rotorua was heavily promoted overseas and a visit by the Queen (1953) put Rotorua “on the map”.
Tourism in this period was dominated by Government led initiatives in infrastructure and in development of attractions.	A lot of secondary, privately owned and run activities such as the Agrodome were developed (1971).
Government took a purely regulatory position, allowing control to be passed to the Rotorua City Council (now Rotorua District Council), Tourism Rotorua and other private regulators.	Older facilities sold by the Government or licensed to private operators.
International investment in chain hotels began and niche markets began to be catered for. The time of specialisation.	Much of these changes were related to changes in the type of visitor. More affluent Japanese and American tourists demanded higher levels of accommodation and a wide variety of attractions.
New tourist types. FIT – Free Independent travellers and younger tourists, The Eco tourist, the backpacker, the adventure tourist. All these had to be catered for.	New hotels were built. Big international chains (Sheraton, Novotol) and backpacker facilities were built.
Rotorua reinvented itself. The council invested millions of dollars into the redevelopment of the CBD (centre of town) and the lake front (1995-2002). The tourist information centre opened in 1993.	More South East Asian tourists arrived (South Korea and China) – facilities were developed to cater for them.
Non-geothermal and new cultural attractions opened, on the periphery of the city. Rafting on the Kaituna, Skyline Gondola, the Luge, 4WD Adventure.	Rebranding of the Arts and Crafts institute. Opening of the Tamaki Maori Village, redevelopment of Wai-o-Tapu and opening of Tamaki Realm of Tane all revitalised and changed tourism in Rotorua.

Yr13 - The Growth of Tourism in Rotorua

The slide show below describes how Tourism in Rotorua first developed and the different stages it went through.

The growth of tourism in rotorua from lavenderbongo

Yr13 - Postive and Negative Impacts of Tourism in Rotorua!

Rotorua is a town that depends heavily on tourism, one of its three major industries. Tourism creates employment opportunities – both direct and indirect.	Total direct spending by tourists is around $310 million each year.
Tourism also generates an extra $153 million each year in “downstream” businesses such as catering, construction and communications.	One in every five people in Rotorua are directly employed in tourism. For every 240 visitors to Rotorua a new full time job is created. Every job in tourism leads to an average of 0.30 jobs elsewhere in the district.
Tourism helps pay for expensive infrastructure like roading and water supply.	Jobs in the tourism sector are often low-paying and seasonal.
Tourism supports the unique culture of the Maori – it has helped revive traditions and provided an economic justification for preserving them.	The commercialisation of dances and ceremonies, which are adapted to suit tourist’s timetables and tastes.
The commercialisation of arts and crafts – “plastic tiki tourism” is a term used to describe how sometimes cultural things are changed so they can be enjoyed by tourists, but in the process lose their meaning and value. (Does is cheapen their culture?)	Tourism increases the profitability of facilities that can be enjoyed bay all citizens, such as the Convention Centre, the Bath House and revamping of the inner city.
Rotorua is in a sense two cities; the swept up city and attractions that the tourists visit and admire and the “real” Rotorua, which is somewhat different – Rotorua has higher than average levels if unemployment, crime and poor health.	Tourism brings large numbers of people to Rotorua. This can increase traffic congestion and pollution.
Fragile natural environments can be damaged. The use of cheap geothermal energy by hotels (and locals) led to major damage to one of the cities key attractions.	Waste and garbage disposal was a real problem for Rotorua, with lake Rotorua becoming heavily polluted until it was cleaned up in the late 1980s.
Tourism creates an increased need for water, power and sewage disposal. This can put a lot of pressure on local facilities and infrastructure.